michaldrapalatheibstudent2

[michaldrapalatheibstudent2]

English classes - Service

Another part of Service section was giving extracurricular classes to my own regular student, Zosia. This time, those were English classes, which actually were much simple than Spanish, as she knew something from before, and she probably had some other private lessons from other, more professional teachers. Therefore, it was much easier to work with her, but still, there were many difficulties during studying, as she did not really know how to solve certain tasks. I could easily learn her how to pronounce, use, and write certain expressions from the discussed topic, and it was a lot of fun. I solved the tasks with her, and I felt that she was getting better and better. Unfortunately, I did not have much time to take care of her, as she had other duties from her school to do, and I could not keep her for too long during my meetings with her. However, her and my parents thought that I am a really good teacher, and we arranged more meetings in the future. I think that giving extracurricular activities is really important, as we learn new psychological skills, and different methods of teaching. It is really important in the future, when I will study for example on the university.

[michaldrapalatheibstudent2]

Spanish private lessons - Service

For my Service section, I met with the daughter from the opposite flat for private lessons from Spanish. Zosia has this language in school, and the online classes don’t come with a benefit for her, as studying a new language at that level of education without meeting live could be really difficult. But I came with some help for her, and it was really worthy because she really liked that and she felt that she knew much more than before. The lesson started with reminding what she studies during regular school classes, and with what she has some problems. Then, I explained her these problems, and showed how to solve the tasks in the book the way that it could be effective. It was a lot of fun, as I could also remind myself of certain expressions about diseases, and it was possible in some way to learn it by myself, while I was learning other person. I think that studying languages is really useful in life because it opens up creative thinking and expands our imagination and develops our way of learning. This was definitely during those classes, and I saw how learning others is simple and how good it is to spend time like that. 

[michaldrapalatheibstudent2]

Geography help - Service

For my Service activity, I once again met with the daughter of the neighbors, Zosia, from the flat opposite to us. This time, she had some problems with geography, which in my opinion is also a matter of difficulties for many students in their early stages of education, but I actually had all that knowledge in mind from my primary school. By that time, we discussed the topic of scale and map in the context of the landscape of the Masovian lowland, which could be a really boring topic for many people, but for me and my student, it definitely wasn’t. I read everything that was in the chapter, just to remind myself of what could be in it, and what I should focus on, and then I tried to explain all the things to the daughter in a very simple way. I think that this way is a very good way to learn others, and surely myself because it is in some way useful knowledge, which I would really like to use at some point in my life. For sure, it was interesting just to know. Also, I took care of socializing with other people, which is really important, especially now. Don’t worry - distance and mask was kept during the extracurricular lessons, so I could not infect her, although I was right in contact with her. 

[michaldrapalatheibstudent2]

Helping with Mathematics - Service

For my Service section, I decided to give a little help for a daughter of my neighbors from the flat opposite to us, as they hanged an announcement that she needs some help from a couple of subjects in school. She attends a Polish curriculum, so I could be some kind of an expert in this matter, and I could help her in many subjects, which I also had when I was in her age. At the first time, I had the chance to give some help from mathematics, which is probably her biggest challenge, as it is for almost every child in primary school and later. I feel that I have some sort of talent of explaining certain things, and I could easily explain her all the aspects of fractions, from the basic, as we approached the most difficult tasks. Although at some point it was more difficult, she did really well. I think that such kind of help is really useful because we can go back to the times when we were young, and check our point of view and understanding of a specific topic. I really look forward to provide more of such help, and I will surely do. 

[michaldrapalatheibstudent2]

Habitat for Humanity - Service

For my Service section, I once again met with the Habitat for Humanity group as on a weekly basis, under Ponczek’s supervision and an active participation of the rest of the group. This time, it was actually a more interesting meeting, as we discussed what we should do for the CAS Project, and who would like to do it in the nearest time. Mostly, these were people from IB1, but actually some of the people from our school year still did not have any idea for their CAS Project, and it required some sort of creativity to help them, but our group did really well on that, as we have really good and creative students. The meeting ended very well, and we all had some ideas about our future plans for this faculty, and ideas for the CAS Project. I think that it is really good to attend such faculties because we learn teamwork, cooperation, and how to help other people. I would really like to attend more of such, if only time allows. 

[michaldrapalatheibstudent2]

Walking - Activity

For another part of my Activity section, I decided to do some walking, which actually trains every part of our body, from the legs, through the stomach, to our hands because of many reasons and many methods of physical activity that we need to do while walking. This time, it was a very long walk, just as I planned, and it took me around an hour and a half in the night, when it was even colder, so it probably should be even harder to walk. However, it was not, and I really felt healthier than before because of this activity, and I know that I can go for quite long distances without any exhaustion, and it was a big problem before. I cannot really do that during running, as it is a completely different type of physical activity, but in the matter of walking, it is an easy thing. Also, to have all the data and progress notified just in a reach of a hand, I saved everything in the Health program on my phone. I was really shocked by the results, as I could go very long and without any defect. I think that these type of activities are really beneficial for our health, as we can control our progress and know on which level we are. 

[michaldrapalatheibstudent2]

Static running - Activity

For another part of Activity, I did some running, but without actually any finish line, distance or that type of thing, but only in one place. It was done for the purpose of training stamina and sustainability, which I noticed that is one of the problems I have during training. Therefore, I decided that I need to practice on that, and I realized I can do it in my own home conditions, and I do not need any advanced equipment, just the one that I already have at home. I used only the mat, and nothing else because I did not need anything more. It was used to have some balance during the activity. I tried to run statically for one minute, with a break of 15 seconds long, and I repeated that for 5 times, as it would suit my physical possibilities and it would be the most effective method of practicing. I did that, and I felt that my stamina is improving very much, but I need to do more of that kind of activities to be more physical, and I really plan to do that. I feel that stamina is an important aspect of sport, as it opens the door for other activities, and I do not feel tired after 20 minutes of activity. 

[michaldrapalatheibstudent2]

Stretching - Activity

For my Activity section, I did some of the simpler and less demanding activities than before. All of the ones that I did previously were based on some pretty harsh physical activity, by which I got really exhausted. This time, because of that, I decided to do something less exhausting, which would also be a benefit for me, after I had all that tiring training, and this was stretching. Unfortunately, I do not have any special equipment for that, so I only followed the instructions found on the Internet and what I did on the gym during regular activity. This was, however, very simple since it was only stretching of the legs in both horizontal and vertical order, which would give me the most out of the activity. I did 12 times of repeating and it was made 5 times, and from that amount of activity of stretching I felt I could really benefit. I think that stretching is a really important aspect of the entire physical activity because it allows us for rest and regeneration and getting released of the entire tension that was on us. I will try to do more of stretching after I train, as it is a healthier way of doing activities. 

[michaldrapalatheibstudent2]

Balancing - Activity

For my Activity section, I did some kind of a more advanced activity when I am closed at home and we all cannot go to a gym or at least for a more advanced training outside in a park. This time, a very important activity that I did was balancing, which was done with the usage of professional equipment, which was a balancing ball, on which I stooped and then I rose up, controlling if my body is standing still when making those activities, which was actually the most important aspect of this activity. I repeated the series 3 times, and in each of them, I did 10 squats, to make the entire activity most effective and useful. I did them vertically and horizontally, to train all the parts of my body - from the legs and stomach to hands and arms. I think that balance is a very beneficial skill during training because when we obtain it, everything goes much easier, and we can only care about doing a particular activity, and not worrying about falling down. It was a lot of fun, and I am looking forward to do more of such activities.

[michaldrapalatheibstudent2]

Squats vertically and horizontally - Activity

For my Activity section, I decided to practice a different type of activity and train the technique of making it. It is a very useful activity, which is very often repeated during normal and regular practicing in normal conditions, for example on the gym. These were squats, which were done horizontally and vertically by me to practice on some balance, strength, stamina, and many other aspects. I did them together with holding squared foams to make it a little bit harder than it would be usually. During the practice itself, I did them 10 times and repeated the series 4 times, as I knew from some of my previous experience when the gyms were opened. That was probably the best combination, and I really benefitted from such activities. I think that physical activity is really important in our lives, and especially the ones which are about practicing the most basic skills, like balance in this case, but also stamina, strength, and technique itself. 

[michaldrapalatheibstudent2]

Push - Ups - Activity

For my Activity section, I decided to do as much activity as possible when I am studying from home, and I cannot go to the gym, where I could do much more physical activity. Therefore, as the conditions did not allow me for many possibilities when it comes to the variety of activities, I decided to practice the best and most effective activities I could think of, and planned the activity beforehand to make it as useful as possible. I did the push - ups 15 times repeated 4 times, as I read something on the Internet from reliable sources about how to be fit and active at home. At first, I did them on without using the equipment. Later, I did it on the equipment. I did it next to the mirror to control every movement I do and check if I do it properly. I felt really exhausted after it, but I think it is really worth it. I burned some calories, and rewinded my stamina skills. Also, I learned some new aspects of the technique that should be used during the practice. I am looking forward to do more of such activities. 

[michaldrapalatheibstudent2]

Making a pizza - Creativity

For my Creativity section, I decided to do some pizza, as I felt that I become an expert in the field of Italian cuisine. Actually, pizza is one from the simpler type of dishes that we can prepare in the kitchen when it comes to the Italian cuisine. I had all the ingredients close at hand, not only the ones that were necessary for the dough, but also the topping, therefore, I wanted to check my skills in this matter. Firstly, I mixed the yeast with water, some flour, olive oil, and salt, and mixed it all together by squeezing it by hands. Then, I divided it into smaller pieces, to make more pizzas, possibly for other people. Later, the job was to grease it with some tomato sauce and olive oil, and that was practically all when it comes to preparing the dish. Obviously, the last part was to add some toppings, which in my case was mozzarella cheese, pepperoni sausage, and some seasoning, including salt and pepper. I think that making such a dish is very useful, as it is very simple, and I learned the basics in the kitchen. Also, I learned the technique of making a cake in the kitchen, which possibly will be useful for other dishes in the future. 

[michaldrapalatheibstudent2]

Baking Gingerbreads - Creativity

For my part of the Creativity section, this time, I did some seasonal baking, as it was getting colder outside, it was December, and the winter was coming. Those were obviously gingerbreads, which are probably easy to prepare, but it is necessary not to confuse all the ingredients, and in some way, be patient with the baking. I decided to do them with other people in my family, as I really like to cook with other people at home. The recipe is, in my opinion at least, very simple. Firstly, I had to add a lot of flour, sugar, margarine, cinnamon, honey, and some other stuff, which I do not really remember by now. Secondly, I had to mix all the ingredients together, and do it patiently, until there was a proper piece of dough to go further. Later, I divided that thing into smaller pieces, which I put into the oven for nearly two hours. After all, there was only decoration left, which was actually very easy, and it was the most pleasant part of the entire baking process. I think that baking gingerbreads is really important because we can learn how to opt with new and rarely used ingredients, and learn cooperation, as it was in my case, as I worked with my family. 

[michaldrapalatheibstudent2]

Spaghetti - Creativity

Another element of my Creativity section was preparing a fully-fledged spaghetti, just as it is in the Italian style, but I think it finally got out as a Polish one. My grandmother does it really well, as she always has her own recipes for every dish (and not only), and it is always very good. Therefore, I asked her to help me with doing it because I really liked her recipes in the kitchen, and I could take some advantage from meeting with her, not only interacting or other things like that. Firstly, I cut the onion into small pieces, and I did the same with the garlic. Then, I mingled the meat to make it easier to put on the pot with the prepared vegetables. After that, I poured water into a very big pot, in which I could cook the pasta. Lastly, I took care of the frying pan with the onion and garlic, and broke the pasta in half to make the cooking easier. I think that I learned at least something about a new culture, and I discovered a brand new way of preparing a dish, which I tend not to meet, and it opened my eyes for new paths in the kitchen adventure. I will practice it until I am perfect. 

[michaldrapalatheibstudent2]

Baking a fish - Creativity

For a new post of my Creativity section, I did a different type of meat, which is fish. I do not usually prepare fish, maybe on specific occasions or on Fridays because of the Lent. But this time, our family really insisted on doing a fish with some rice to make our diet more healthy or simply have a different position on our menu. So I took care of it really fast, and I tried to do it as good as possible. Firstly, I covered the fishes with some oil, rosemary, coriander, and of course, salt and pepper. Then, I put them into the oven, and baked for 45 minutes, which is probably the best time for fishes to be prepared. Meanwhile, I cooked some brown rice, it was probably basmati, and added some lemon to the fish in the oven. After all those things, I could enjoy my fish with some portion of rice. I think that having a balanced diet is really important in our lives, as we need to gain all the supplies for our organisms, but most importantly, having a balanced menu in the family, or just as an individual, is a very important thing for ourselves. Through that, we never get bored in the kitchen, and we learn new skills and dishes. 

[michaldrapalatheibstudent2]

Baking croissants - Creativity

For a part of Creativity, I decided to do some croissants for dessert after dinner. It was much easier to do them, since I already had the puff pastry at home, waiting for its usage. And now, the time to use it has come, as it is a dish that I have never done before. In order to do it, at first, I rolled the pastry on a flat surface, and I cut it into small squares, to prepare it for making small cakes. Later, I cut apple into very small pieces, and added brown sugar and raisins to them, after they had been “cooked” in a pot. After that, it was possible to fill the squares with the mixture of apples and raisins, and fold them similarly to dumplings. Finally, I put them into the oven, and baked them for one hour. I think that doing new dishes, especially desserts, which I don’t do as much as other types of meal, is very important in life because it releases the most unknown creativity skills in ourselves, but also some talents that we did not know. That was in my case, as I did very well when I prepared the croissants, and I would really like to do more desserts of such kind. 

[michaldrapalatheibstudent2]

Preparing a roast - Creativity

Another part of my Creativity section was to do some cooking, which seems to be an inherent part of my life. This time, I decided to prepare a roast, which is a really big piece of meat, served with some vegetables, usually carrot, onion, and leek. As I perfectly know the recipe, and what to add to the meat, I used the mentioned ingredients. Firstly, I added some seasoning to the big piece of meat, wrapped it with strings (I have always wondered why we need to do that, but I assume it is because it will get so big and badly looking that no one would like to eat it), and put it on a roasting pan with the surface covered with oil. Secondly, I cut the vegetables into small, more less equal pieces, and decorated the meat with it. At last, I put it into the oven, and baked for slightly over one hour, to get a well roasted meat. I think that such dishes are really good to prepare because I always learn something new when cooking at home, for example new methods or how to do it faster, and it is always some sort of an achievement. I am looking forward to do more of such type of dishes.